(Newser)
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When 19-year-old Deisi Ocampo's father handed her two $20 Illinois Lottery tickets last week, his wish was a simple "Happy birthday." Happy birthday, indeed. One of the two $100 Million Money Mania scratch cards was soon found to be worth $4 million. "It turned out to be the best birthday present ever!" Ocampo said Friday morning when presented with a check at a Chicago gas station, reports WLS-TV. Ocampo said she planned to spend the money to "buy a new house for my family and pursue my dream of completing my degree and becoming a nurse," reports the Telegraph, which runs down the far less lofty ambitions of teens who've hit the jackpot in the past.

One teen who won the lottery in 2002 reportedly spent it all on parties, drugs, gifts, jewelry, houses, and bad investments, while the youngest teen to win the lottery in the UK, 16-year-old Callie Rogers, spent her 2003 winnings on drugs, cosmetic surgery, and parties and went on to attempt suicide multiple times. (A waitress who recently won $12 million in Minnesota's Hot Lotto says she loves her job and plans to keep it.)

That is awesome, and I'm glad for her. I hope her dad protects her and keeps the family vultures away from her and helps her get in touch with good investors and future dreams. If she plays this right, this will pay off for the rest of her life and keep her out of debt, but she will need much safe counsel and protection from vultures.

Ellabulldog

Oct 27, 2014 11:35 PM CDT

4 mil after taxes is 2.4 mil or so, if you give $$$ away you will have nothing left. If she invests it wisely she can have an income off of the principal. Hope she doesn't blow it.